50 YEARS A-RAMBLIN ’
In Ireland we have a strong tradition of celebrating key moments in our lives with a few songs. Births, engagements, marriages, sporting victories, even a wake might inspire a song or a tune or two. 50th anniversaries are no different, and in the case of the legendary Dublin City Ramblers celebrating 50 years of vintage music-making, it makes perfect sense to celebrate this milestone with , what else, but 50 key tracks from the band’s illustrious career.
“ Raised On Songs and Stories” , the opening lines from the title track, are especially apt , as many of us certainly were. We are never far away from Music and Song at any time in our lives, be it through the media, on recordings or live performances.
Over the past 50 years The Dublin City Ramblers have raised many of us on the Songs they sang and the Stories they told . Songs about Ireland, our history, our calamities, our unfailing sense of humour, and our love of the Craic !
The track selection on The Rare Auld Times covers every phase in the group’s prolific career with contributions from each line-up, with long-serving original member Sean McGuinness featuring throughout.
Even the most cursory glance through the titles will show how versatile the band’s musicians have been since they first formed. In 1963 Sean McGuinness, his brother Matt and their friend Pat Cummins formed the Jolly Tinkers. Patsy Watchorn joined shortly after , and in 1967 they changed the name to The Quare Fellas. They broke up in 1969. The following year 1970, the original line-up of ‘The Dublin City Ramblers’ was formed.
In 1978, following several album releases they had their breakthrough hit with Pete St John’s ‘The Rare Auld Times’. There was no looking back from here. Since then they continued to record numerous hit singles and albums, receiving awards for best Ballad / Folk Group and earning a remarkable eight Gold Albums
The Ramblers have been one of the mainstays of the Irish music scene for a more than a half century. Not only have they enjoyed considerable acclaim at home but they took the best of Irish folk music way beyond these shores. Dolphin Records have been associated with The Ramblers since 1970 and are very proud to celebrate their achievement with this 50-track release.
This two CD anthology is a veritable listing of the best-loved songs from the great treasury of Irish ballads, including such crowd-pleasers as ‘Molly Malone’, ‘Whiskey In The Jar’, ‘The Parting Glass’, ‘The Irish Rover’ ‘Kevin Barry’ and ‘The Wild Rover’. Ireland’s rich history is reflected in songs of the calibre of ‘Bold Robert Emmett’, ‘McAlpine’s Fusiliers’ and ‘The Flight of The Earls’.
The Ramblers were also keen to explore new songs by Irish songwriters, and there are several featured on this album. These include Pete St John’s ‘The Ferryman’, “ Rare Auld Times “ Ringsend Rose’ and his perennial classic ‘The Fields of Athenry’. Johnny McEvoy’s ‘Staten Island’, Barney Rushe’s, ‘Nancy Spain’ and ‘The Crack was Ninety in the Isle of Man, ‘Raise The Roof’ from The Swarbriggs , and Liam Reilly’s ‘Flight of Earls’ and ‘Streets of New York.’
The group were also adept at recording refreshing new arrangements of traditional songs that live on, such as ‘Danny Boy’, ‘John O’Dreams’, and a re-recorded version of ‘Three Lovely Lassies’. Meanwhile, nostalgic sports fans will welcome the inclusion of ‘The Boys In Green’ and ‘Que Sera Sera’ (Featuring Dermot Morgan) released for Italia 90.
So this compilation will appeal to many people of different musical persuasions and traditions. Die-hard fans recognise The Ramblers as one of best exponents of this musical style. Those who know good music when they hear it are happy to include The Ramblers among the acts they respect and enjoy. For those who are unfamilar with Irish ballads, what better place to start than with this comprenhensive collection …..
The Rare Auld Times – 50 Years 50 Songs.
Jackie Hayden
Music Writer-Hot Press Magazine